Get Your EIN / Tax ID
Your Business Identity with the IRS
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit number the IRS assigns to your business for tax reporting. Think of it as a Social Security Number for your company. You need one to open a bank account, hire employees, and file business taxes.
What an EIN Unlocks
An EIN is required for most business activities. Without one, you can't open a business bank account, hire your first employee, or file taxes as anything other than a sole proprietor.
Open a Business Bank Account
Banks require an EIN to open a business checking or savings account. It keeps your personal and business finances separate.
Hire Employees
The IRS requires every business that pays wages to have an EIN for payroll tax reporting, withholding, and W-2 filing.
Protect Your SSN
Use your EIN instead of your Social Security Number on business documents, contracts, and vendor forms to reduce identity theft risk.
File Business Taxes
Partnerships, corporations, and multi-member LLCs need an EIN to file federal tax returns. Many states require one for state tax registration too.
What Is an Employer Identification Number?
An Employer Identification Number (EIN), also called a Federal Tax Identification Number, is a unique nine-digit number the IRS assigns to business entities operating in the United States. The format is XX-XXXXXXX (two digits, a hyphen, then seven digits). Every business entity that files federal tax returns is required to have one.
An EIN serves the same purpose for your business that a Social Security Number serves for you personally. It identifies your business to the IRS, to banks, to state tax agencies, and to any entity that needs to verify your business for tax or reporting purposes.
Who Is Required to Have an EIN
The IRS requires you to obtain an EIN if any of the following apply to your business:
- You have employees or plan to hire employees
- You operate as a corporation, partnership, or multi-member LLC
- You file employment, excise, alcohol, tobacco, or firearms tax returns
- You withhold taxes on income paid to a non-resident alien (other than wages)
- You have a Keogh plan (a tax-deferred retirement plan for self-employed individuals)
- You are involved with trusts, estates, real estate mortgage investment conduits, or certain types of nonprofits
Beyond IRS requirements, most banks will not let you open a business checking account without an EIN. Many vendors, wholesalers, and contract clients also require it on W-9 forms before issuing payments.
How the IRS EIN Application Works
The IRS issues EINs through Form SS-4, the Application for Employer Identification Number. There are three ways to submit it:
- Online - The IRS online EIN assistant is available Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time. If approved, the EIN is issued immediately.
- Fax - Fax the completed Form SS-4 to the IRS. Processing takes approximately four business days.
- Mail - Mail Form SS-4 to the IRS EIN Operation in Cincinnati, OH. Processing takes approximately four weeks.
Regardless of the method, obtaining an EIN from the IRS is always free. There is never a government fee for an EIN. When you use CrowSmart, our service fee covers the time and expertise to prepare your application correctly and submit it on your behalf.
When You Need a New EIN
Your EIN stays with your business for its lifetime, but the IRS requires a new EIN when you change the ownership or legal structure of your entity. For example:
- A sole proprietorship incorporates or forms an LLC
- A partnership becomes a sole proprietorship (only one partner remains)
- A corporation receives a new charter from the state after dissolution
- An LLC with multiple members becomes a single-member LLC (or vice versa)
You do not need a new EIN if you simply change your business name, change your address, or change your responsible party. You report those changes to the IRS separately.
An EIN is free from the IRS and required for most business entities. You need one to open a bank account, hire employees, and file business taxes. While you can apply yourself on IRS.gov, errors on Form SS-4 can cause rejections and delays. CrowSmart handles the application for you so it gets done right the first time.
What's Included
- IRS Form SS-4 prepared for you
- Application reviewed for accuracy
- Submitted to the IRS on your behalf
- EIN confirmation delivered to your dashboard
- Stored securely in your account
Bundle & Save
Get your EIN free when you add both Registered Agent and State Compliance during business formation.
- Business Formation
LLC, Corporation, or Nonprofit
- Registered Agent
Professional address for legal docs
- State Compliance
Annual report monitoring
Starting a new business? Form your LLC or Corporation and add an EIN during checkout.
What You'll Receive
Once your EIN is issued by the IRS, you'll have everything you need to move forward:
EIN Confirmation (CP 575)
Official IRS noticeThe CP 575 is the official IRS notice confirming your Employer Identification Number. This is the document banks, lenders, and state agencies accept as proof of your EIN. We deliver it to your CrowSmart dashboard as soon as it's issued.
Ready to Use Immediately
Next steps coveredYour EIN is active the moment it's issued. You can use it right away to open a business bank account, register for state taxes, set up payroll, apply for business licenses, and begin accepting payments under your business name.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? We've got answers. Find everything you need to know about our Compliance service.
Get Your EIN Today
One flat fee of $99. No government fee, no hidden charges. Your EIN delivered to your dashboard.